OTIOSE/THE DISPOSABLE INDEX/BuzzFeed
The Disposable Index Logo

THE DISPOSABLE INDEX

Tech Layoff Tracker & Corporate Hypocrisy Database (2020-2026)

← BACK TO INDEXPRODUCED BYOTIOSEOTIOSE icon

Layoffs & Culture at BuzzFeed

MediaWEBSITE

THE ANALYSIS

BuzzFeed's workforce strategy from 2020 to 2024 has been characterized by a pronounced contraction and strategic realignment. Initial caution emerged in May 2020 with a hiring freeze on open positions and the subletting of offices in Minneapolis and Washington, directly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. This conservative stance escalated into significant workforce reductions, commencing with a 12% cut affecting 180 employees in December 2022, explicitly cited due to worsening macroeconomic conditions and broader cost-cutting imperatives. The trend intensified in April 2023 with a further 15% staff reduction and the complete closure of the BuzzFeed News division, driven by corporate cost-cutting measures. The most recent action in January 2024 saw another 16% staff reduction as part of a new restructuring effort following the sale of Complex to NTWRK. This trajectory underscores a sustained focus on streamlining operations and divesting non-core assets in response to market pressures and a shifting digital media landscape. No specific workforce changes or strategic shifts are indicated for 2026 within the available data.

THE NUMBERS

-230TOTAL DISCARDED
11.0%WORKFORCE IMPACT

THE SCALE

REDUCED BY 11.0%
PEAK WORKFORCE (EST.)2,090
CURRENT WORKFORCE1,860

HISTORY

UNDISCLOSED(2024.01)

"16% staff reduction in new restructuring following sale of Complex to NTWRK"

💀 TRANSLATION: Correcting our own executive incompetence.
UNDISCLOSED(2023.04)

"15% staff reduction and closure of BuzzFeed News division as part of corporate cost cutting"

💀 TRANSLATION: Making the workers pay for managerial mistakes.
-180(2022.12)

"12% workforce reduction due to worsening macroeconomic conditions and cost-cutting"

💀 TRANSLATION: Blaming the economy because blaming our strategy would get the CEO fired.
-50(2020.05)

"Hiring freeze on open positions due to COVID-19"

💀 TRANSLATION: An excuse we have been using since 2020.
UNDISCLOSED(2020.05)

"Sublet offices in Minneapolis and Washington due to COVID-19"

💀 TRANSLATION: An excuse we have been using since 2020.

BuzzFeed has eliminated a total of 230 positions across 5 workforce events.

Other Big Tech Layoffs